Roasted Red Pepper Salmon Pasta: A Flavorful and Easy Weeknight Meal
Craving a restaurant-worthy meal without the restaurant price tag? Look no further! This Roasted Red Pepper Salmon Pasta is a vibrant, flavorful, and surprisingly easy dish to whip up any night of the week. Flaky salmon, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and a creamy, smoky roasted red pepper sauce – it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The combination of textures and tastes is simply divine: the richness of the salmon complements the sweet and slightly smoky pepper sauce, while the pasta provides a satisfying base. Plus, it’s packed with healthy fats and protein, making it a meal you can feel good about. Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
* **Flavor Explosion:** The roasted red pepper sauce is the star of the show, delivering a sweet, smoky, and slightly tangy flavor profile that perfectly complements the richness of the salmon.
* **Easy Weeknight Meal:** From start to finish, this recipe comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
* **Healthy and Delicious:** Salmon is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein, making this a nutritious and satisfying meal.
* **Versatile:** Easily adaptable to your preferences! Swap out the pasta type, add vegetables, or adjust the spice level to your liking.
* **Impressive Yet Simple:** This dish looks and tastes like it took hours to prepare, but it’s actually incredibly simple to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Salmon Fillets:** Skin-on or skinless, about 6-8 ounces each. Aim for salmon fillets that are roughly the same thickness for even cooking. Consider wild-caught salmon for its superior flavor and nutritional benefits. Sockeye or King salmon are excellent choices.
* **Pasta:** 1 pound of your favorite pasta shape. Penne, fusilli, rigatoni, or farfalle all work well. Choose a pasta with ridges or texture to better hold the sauce.
* **Roasted Red Peppers:** 2 large roasted red peppers, either homemade or store-bought (jarred). If using jarred, drain them well and pat them dry before blending.
* **Garlic:** 3-4 cloves, minced. Fresh garlic is essential for the best flavor.
* **Onion:** 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped. Yellow onions provide a nice balance of sweetness and sharpness.
* **Heavy Cream:** 1/2 cup. Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess to the sauce. You can substitute with half-and-half or coconut cream for a lighter option, but the sauce won’t be as thick.
* **Olive Oil:** Extra virgin olive oil for roasting and sautéing.
* **Lemon Juice:** 1 tablespoon, freshly squeezed. Lemon juice brightens the sauce and complements the salmon.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** 1/4 cup, grated, plus more for serving. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor.
* **Fresh Basil:** 1/4 cup, chopped, for garnish. Fresh basil adds a vibrant, aromatic touch. Parsley can be used as a substitute if basil is unavailable.
* **Red Pepper Flakes:** 1/4 teaspoon (or more, to taste). Adds a touch of heat to the sauce.
* **Salt and Black Pepper:** To taste.
* **Optional Add-ins:** Sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, artichoke hearts, capers, or a splash of white wine.
Equipment You’ll Need
* **Baking Sheet:** For roasting the salmon.
* **Large Pot:** For cooking the pasta.
* **Blender or Food Processor:** For making the roasted red pepper sauce.
* **Large Skillet or Saucepan:** For combining the sauce and pasta.
* **Tongs:** For tossing the pasta with the sauce.
* **Lemon Juicer:** For squeezing fresh lemon juice.
Step-by-Step Instructions
**1. Prepare the Salmon:**
* Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
* Pat the salmon fillets dry with paper towels. This helps them to brown properly in the oven. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and black pepper. You can also add a pinch of garlic powder or paprika for extra flavor.
* Place the salmon fillets skin-side down (if using skin-on fillets) on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure the fillets are spaced apart to allow for even cooking.
**2. Roast the Salmon:**
* Roast the salmon in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until it’s cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets. A good internal temperature for salmon is 145°F (63°C).
* While the salmon is roasting, prepare the pasta and sauce.
**3. Cook the Pasta:**
* Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Adding salt to the water seasons the pasta from the inside out.
* Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Al dente means “to the tooth” – the pasta should be firm but not hard.
* Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. The starchy pasta water helps to bind the sauce to the pasta and create a creamier texture. Drain the pasta in a colander.
**4. Make the Roasted Red Pepper Sauce:**
* While the pasta is cooking, prepare the roasted red pepper sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted red peppers, garlic, onion, heavy cream, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper.
* Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to your liking. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of pasta water to thin it out.
**5. Combine and Serve:**
* Heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the roasted red pepper sauce and bring to a simmer.
* Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce. Add a little pasta water at a time, if needed, to create a creamy, emulsified sauce.
* Gently flake the roasted salmon into the pasta. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to keep the salmon in nice, distinct pieces.
* Stir in the chopped fresh basil.
* Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes (if desired).
Tips and Variations
* **Roast Your Own Red Peppers:** Roasting your own red peppers is easy and results in a more flavorful sauce. Simply roast them under the broiler or over an open flame until the skin is blackened. Then, place them in a bowl covered with plastic wrap to steam. Once cooled, peel off the skin, remove the seeds, and use them in the sauce.
* **Add Vegetables:** Feel free to add other vegetables to the pasta, such as spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, or asparagus. Sauté them in the skillet before adding the sauce.
* **Make it Spicy:** If you like a little heat, add more red pepper flakes to the sauce, or use a spicy variety of roasted red peppers.
* **Use Different Types of Salmon:** While the recipe calls for salmon fillets, you can also use salmon steaks or even canned salmon. If using canned salmon, drain it well and add it to the pasta at the end of cooking.
* **Make it Creamier:** For an even richer and creamier sauce, add a dollop of mascarpone cheese or cream cheese to the sauce at the end of cooking.
* **Add a Splash of White Wine:** Deglaze the pan with a splash of dry white wine after sautéing the garlic and onion for added depth of flavor. Let the wine reduce slightly before adding the other sauce ingredients.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
* **Dairy-Free Option:** Substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a dairy-free cream alternative. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
* **Leftovers:** Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.
Serving Suggestions
* **Serve with a Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a perfect accompaniment to this rich and flavorful pasta dish.
* **Garlic Bread:** Serve with crusty garlic bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
* **Grilled Vegetables:** Grilled asparagus or zucchini would be a great addition to the meal.
* **A Glass of White Wine:** Pair this pasta dish with a crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
Detailed Recipe Card
**Recipe Name:** Roasted Red Pepper Salmon Pasta
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Cook Time:** 30 minutes
**Total Time:** 45 minutes
**Servings:** 4 servings
**Ingredients:**
* 1 pound pasta (penne, fusilli, rigatoni, or farfalle)
* 2 (6-8 ounce) salmon fillets, skin-on or skinless
* 2 large roasted red peppers, jarred or homemade
* 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, for garnish
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
* Salt and black pepper, to taste
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Pat salmon fillets dry, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Place skin-side down on the baking sheet.
3. Roast salmon for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through.
4. While salmon roasts, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
5. In a blender or food processor, combine roasted red peppers, garlic, onion, heavy cream, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
6. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the roasted red pepper sauce and bring to a simmer.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce. Add pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
8. Gently flake the roasted salmon into the pasta. Stir in fresh basil.
9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if desired).
**Nutrition Information (per serving, approximate):**
* Calories: 650-750
* Protein: 40-45g
* Fat: 30-35g
* Carbohydrates: 60-70g
**Enjoy!**
This Roasted Red Pepper Salmon Pasta is a delightful and easy meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below!
More Delicious Pasta Recipes
If you enjoyed this Roasted Red Pepper Salmon Pasta, be sure to check out these other delicious pasta recipes:
* [Link to another pasta recipe on your blog] * [Link to another pasta recipe on your blog] * [Link to another pasta recipe on your blog]
Share Your Creations!
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see your creations! Share a photo on social media and tag me @YourBlogHandle using the hashtag #RoastedRedPepperSalmonPasta. Happy cooking!